Bali, the famed Island of the Gods, is the most visited part of Indonesia. Its diverse landscape of mountainous terrain, rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides provide a picturesque backdrop to its unique colourful and spiritual culture. Home to world-class surfing and diving sites, and a large number of cultural, historical, and archaeological attractions, Bali is one of the world's most popular island destinations which consistently wins travel awards. While most of Indonesia is Muslim, Bali is unique in that most of its local people are Hindu. Hinduism was the dominant religion in the country before the arrival of Islam and is one of the six official religions of Indonesia today. Nevertheless, Hinduism in Bali is not quite the same as Hinduism in India and other parts of the world, shown in the differences of the architecture of Bali's temples. Hinduism came to Indonesia in the 1st-century through Indian traders, sailors, scholars and priests. A syncretic fusion of pre-existing Javanese folk religion, culture and Hindu ideas, that from the 6th-century also synthesized Buddhist ideas as well, evolved as the Indonesian version of Hinduism. Bali is part of the Coral Triangle, the area with the highest biodiversity of marine species, especially fish and turtles. In this area alone, over 500 reef-building coral species can be found which is about seven times as large as in the entire Caribbean. Surrounded by reefs, wrecks, and coral gardens, Bali is a pure heaven for underwater explorers with snorkeling and diving activities. The best snorkeling beaches are on the East, Northeast and West side of the island such as Padang Bai, Tulamben, Amend... In these areas, the sea is calm and there are vibrant coral reefs close to the shore in shallow water offering perfect conditions to explore the underwater world.
Komodo is part of the Lesser Sunda chain of islands. It lies between the substantially larger neighboring islands Sumbawa to the west and Flores to the east. Komodo and the nearby islands of Rinca and Padar make up Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Komodo dragon. It also boasts crystal-clear waters teeming with vibrant coral reefs, exotic marine life like manta rays, and mesmerizing underwater vistas. Stunning pink beaches, lush forests, and breathtaking viewpoints create a complete picture of one of the best-untouched treasures of Indonesia. Home to the legendary creatures, Komodo has about 2,500 fairly ferocious dragons which live alongside wild boar, buffalo and deer. This kind of the world’s largest lizard can grow up to 3m long and weigh over 70kg found only in the wild in Komodo National Park (mainly in Rinca and Komodo islands). This makes of the park a unique and special place to visit. You can take guided tours to see these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat, either on foot or on a boat tour. Apart from exploring the wild life, scuba diving and snorkelling in the park waters are among Indonesia’s best. There are 260 species of reef-building corals, sheer-drop walls and around 1,000 species of fish and marine mammals, including manta rays, sharks, sea turtles, dolphins and whales. The waters in the south are cooler than those to the north, creating an ideal habitat for corals and reef fish, while to the north, rich plankton and nutrients attract a wide variety of temperate marine life. For snorkeling lovers, Pantai Merah (Red Beach) offers butterfly, parrot and triggerfish, giant clams and colourful corals at close range. The gorgeous beach is pink due to an abundance of red coral in the region.
Flores means “flowers” named by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century. For this reason, Flores is the only major island in Indonesia where Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion. Nevertheless, there is an existence of a unique mix of traditional beliefs with Catholicism, evidenced by churches sit alongside megalithic stones, ancestral shrines and houses crowned with buffalo horns. For example, in Ngada communities for instance, if a person dies prematurely or unexpectedly then it is believed to be the result of evil spirits that must be chased out. So while the deceased might receive a Catholic burial service, the village ancestors must also be appeased with a ritual animal sacrifice. Flores' rugged topography is formed by a chain of volcanoes featuring a landscape punctuated by volcanic cones, its coastal waters fringed with nature reserves and a marine park. The most famous attraction in Flores is undoubtedly the Mount Kelimutu, distinctive with its trio of crater lakes at the summit. Each lake stands out from the others, too, tinted by differing levels of minerals and oxidisation, and changes shade throughout the year. Apart from its natural wonders, Flores is also home to a diverse range of ethnic groups, each has its own distinct traditions, languages, and crafts. Visit traditional villages like Bena, Wae Rebo, and Ruteng Pu’u to witness the authentic way of living of the local communities. These villages offer a glimpse into the traditional houses adorned with intricate carvings, traditional ceremonies, weaving demonstrations, and the opportunity to engage in conversations with the villagers.
Java is the most populated island in Indonesia with more than 140 million people and considered one of the most densely populated places on earth. Despite the occupation of human beings, Java has plenty of natural wonders such as rainforests, towering volcanoes and sleepy beaches stretching from the East to the West of the island. Historically and linguistically, the island is split into two parts with the Sundanese kingdoms in the West centred around the capital city of Jakarta and the Javanese kingdoms in the East centred around Surakarta and Yogyakarta; while administratively, Java is composed of three provinces West, Central and East. Once was the part of the Sunda Kingdom from the 7th to the 16th centuries, West Java still preserves cultural customs and architectural monuments of that period. The emerald valleys, tea plantations, and high mountain peaks of West Java captivate at first sight. The famous Taman Safari Park lies on its territory, where you can see many exotic animals in the natural environment. Bandung, the ancient city is well known for its beautiful colonial architecture, an abundance of outlets, and a striking natural landmark — Dago Waterfalls. The city of Bogor is worth a visit to see the exquisite palace that serves as the summer residence for the President of Indonesia; and a botanical garden — one of the oldest and largest on the planet. As an ecotourism destination, Central Java has mountain slopes covered with equatorial forests, dormant and active volcanoes, lakes, geothermal springs and waterfalls. The seven-stage Curug Parigi cascade is especially popular with travelers, through which cool water flows down, forming a natural pool. Another tourist attraction is the region's ancient shrines. Among the most famous are the Buddhist Borobudur Temple and the Prambanan Hindu Temple Complex. The administrative center of the province is the city of Semarang which is famous for its beautiful architecture and landscape park, Indonesia Kaya Park. And not far from Ungaran town, there are picturesque tea and jasmine plantations. Mostly covered with mountains where rice, sugar cane, and tea are grown, the main attraction of East Java is Yogyakarta with ancient temples including Borobudur, one of the most significant for Buddhists; and the Hindu temple complex at Prambanan. It also has the Dieng Plateau which is famous for the remains of a giant prehistoric volcano and the two popular nature reserves in the far east of Java. One of them is Baluran including a zone of tropical forests, volcanoes, swamps and the sea coast. The other one is the Meru Betiri National Park, a breeding ground for giant sea turtles. The best beach for surfing in East Java is Plengkung stretching along the coast of the Alas Purwo National Park.
Jakarta, located in Java Island, is known as one of the most developed cities and biggest cities in Indonesia. This city is a mixture of old heritage, cultural richness, historical places and modern recreation. Whether you are foodie lovers, culture enthusiasts or history buffs, our Jakarta tour holidays will make your travel wishes come true.
Sumatra is a large island stretching between the Malay Peninsula and Java, and is world-renowned for its dense jungles, smoking volcanoes and unforgiving waves. Once was the inspiration for Skull Island, home to the legendary movie monster King Kong, and not nearly so well-explored as many other parts of the island nation, Sumatra is a place where one can still get a sense of isolation and adventure, a great place to see some incredibly endangered species in the wild. Sumatra is a travel heaven for nature-lovers with surfing beaches and more than 10 national parks, including the 3 which are listed as the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra World Heritage Site – Gunung Leuser, Kerinci Seblat and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Parks. Orangutans, tigers, elephants and even a few rhinos still hide deep in the sanctuary of the national parks. Trek through lush rainforests to witness orangutans in their natural habitat, listen to the symphony of exotic birds and spot other fascinating wildlife species will be unforgetable challenge. Home to the Minangkabau ethnic group (also known as Minang or Padang) located in the West of the island, this is the world's largest matrilineal society with a complex social structure based on matrilineal clans and property, such as land and houses inherited through female lineage. Bukittinggi town is the cultural centre of Minangkabau culture. Surrounded by volcanoes, lakes, canyons and traditional villages, it is located on the Agam plateau above a deep river valley. One can walk into town discover the market and most of all the Minangkabau culture in which the women play the dominant role. Their wealth is expressed in beautifully woven traditional dress and the adat houses with their distinctive roofs shaped like buffalo horns.
Sulawesi is one of the main islands of Indonesia and the eleventh largest island in the world. Comprised of four peninsulas stretching out in different directions, Sulawesi resembles the octopuses that are to be found in its waters. The island lies in the centre of the Indonesian archipelago, and forms part of the famous Coral Triangle, with exceptional diving around its reefs and islands, especially in Bunaken National Park. Key cultural destinations include the cosmopolitan capital, Makassar, with its Dutch colonial influences; Lake Tempe; and the stunning karst landscape of Maros Pangkep. Among Sulawesi’s most famous tourist attractions, the tops are Bunaken National Park in North Sulawesi, Wakatobi Marine Biosphere Reserve in Southeast Sulawesi and Tana Toraja in South Sulawesi. Bunaken National Park and Wakatobi National Marine Park are two slices of the tangible paradise that is Sulawesi’s underwater splendor. Both are located near the heart of The Coral Triangle, the global epicenter of marine biodiversity, which has more coral reef and fish diversity than anywhere else in the world. Tana Toraja Regency, on the other hand, offers the distinctive lifestyle of the Torajans as a cultural attraction. Living on the highlands, many of these people preserve the olden way of life and a local animist belief named Aluk To Dolo, or the Way of the Ancestors, featuring unique buildings, dialects, wood carvings, dances, music and rituals. The most well-known of Tana Toraja culture are arguably the funeral rites with their one-of-a-kind stone-carved burial site. Colonised over the years by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British, Sulawesi is an intriguing cultural mix of Muslims and Christians. Nevertheless, the natives maintain their animist beliefs at the same time, which has led to the development of a unique and enthralling cultural identity. In the northern provinces of the island, the largest ethnic group is the Minahasan (Manado) people, who are predominantly Christian following the arrival of Dutch missionaries in the early 20th century. While in the southern lowlands, the main ethnic grouping, the Bugis people earning their lives as seafarers, traders and rice farmers, mostly are Muslim.
Located on the southwest coast of Sulawesi Island, Makassar is the capital of South Sulawesi Province and is the largest city in the region of Eastern Indonesia. Once an important trading port in the Dutch East Indies, Makassar is now not only the gateway of the cultural land of Sulawesi, but also the epicenter of West and East Indonesia, as well as between Asia and Australia.
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